Northampton passes budget with tax increase

The Northampton County Board of Supervisors approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget during Tuesday night’s work session in Eastville, including a two-cent tax increase, with certain stipulations.

Board Chairman John Coker opened the discussion by addressing concerns over budget items related to staff promotions and salary increases. He proposed that while the budget be passed as presented, spending in those specific areas would be delayed until the board could take further action.

The approved budget raises the tax rate on real estate, mobile homes, solar installations, and wind generation from $0.685 to $0.705 per $100 of assessed value. All other tax rates—including those on personal property, aircraft, boats, machinery, and equipment—remain unchanged. The exemption for one motor vehicle owned by a qualified disabled veteran remains at a $0.00 tax rate.

“I’m not happy with the increase, but I feel it is prudent,” said Coker. “The increase is for the health of the undesignated fund balance. Things just don’t get cheaper every year—it gets more expensive.”

Coker also proposed setting a $15 minimum wage for county employees in the new budget.

Supervisor Betsy Mapp echoed Coker’s comments, acknowledging that while it was difficult to vote for a tax increase, the county’s needs made it necessary.

The general fund budget totals $47.57 million, with major expenditures allocated to public safety, public works, education, and general government administration. It also includes funding for social services, capital projects, public utilities, school operations, and debt service.

The budget has investments in school capital improvements, a new wastewater treatment plant, and support for the Eastern Shore Regional Jail. Any unspent school operating funds from FY25 will be transferred to the school capital fund for future projects.